Lead: On Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, multiple NFL teams confirmed Week 1 availability ahead of their season openers: Christian McCaffrey is expected to be a full participant for the 4:05 p.m. ET 49ers-Seahawks kickoff, Micah Parsons carries limitations but is expected to play vs. the Lions, and several starters across the league were ruled inactive or listed questionable.
Key Takeaways
- Christian McCaffrey (49ers) is expected to play after clean scans despite a calf issue (Kickoff 4:05 p.m. ET).
- Micah Parsons (Packers) practiced limited all week and is questionable but expected to see a reduced role (Kickoff 4:25 p.m. ET).
- Notable Week 1 inactives: CB Christian Gonzalez (Patriots), OT Andrew Thomas (Giants), WR Chris Godwin and LT Tristan Wirfs (Buccaneers).
- Dre Greenlaw (Broncos) is out with a quad injury after limited practice (Kickoff 4:05 p.m. ET).
- Several key weapons are active with limitations, including Tyreek Hill and De’Von Achane for the Dolphins (Kickoff 1 p.m. ET).
- Jayden Reed (Packers) remains questionable after a Jones fracture and may have a snap count.
- Christian Kirk (Texans) was ruled out with a hamstring; the Texans will lean on Nico Collins and rookies.
Verified Facts
Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (hamstring) did not practice all week (DNP-DNP-DNP) and is inactive for New England’s 1 p.m. ET game at Las Vegas. Losing Gonzalez removes New England’s top cover option for the opener.
New York’s offensive front is also affected: Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas (foot) is inactive for the 1 p.m. ET matchup vs. Washington, while rookie receiver Malik Nabers, who missed Friday’s practice with back tightness (Full-Full-DNP), is active and deemed without limitations by coach Brian Daboll.
Tampa Bay opens without veteran wideout Chris Godwin (ankle) and LT Tristan Wirfs (knee); both were DNPs across the week and are inactive for the 1 p.m. ET game vs. Atlanta. Defensive tackle Vita Vea (foot) was limited earlier but was cleared to play (DNP-DNP-Full).
San Francisco continues to get positive availability: Jauan Jennings (calf) returned to full practice and is active for the 4:05 p.m. ET divisional game. Christian McCaffrey left Thursday’s practice and missed Friday, but scans reportedly returned clean; team reporting indicates he is expected to be full-go for Week 1.
Micah Parsons, recovering from a back issue and offseason contract tensions, was listed LP-LP-LP and will be limited in role for the Packers’ 4:25 p.m. ET game vs. Detroit, though reports indicate he will play and line up in different spots rather than his usual every-down workload.
Context & Impact
Injuries and inactives on Week 1 influence game planning and early-season expectations. Losing starting offensive tackles (e.g., Andrew Thomas, Tristan Wirfs) shifts protection schemes and can force more quick passing and help from tight ends. Defenses without top corners or edge players must rely on depth packages and schematic adjustments.
For teams with question marks like Green Bay and San Francisco, limited returns (Parsons, McCaffrey) change the calculus for opposing coordinators; planning must account for the threat these players pose while anticipating reduced snaps or altered alignments.
- Giants at Commanders: Thomas out increases pressure on rookie/backup tackles and could constrain NYG rushing plans.
- Buccaneers at Falcons: Without Godwin and Wirfs, Tampa Bay may emphasize short passing and running to mitigate pass-rush and edge mismatches.
- Packers at Lions: Parsons’ limitation reduces Green Bay’s pass-rush floor but still leaves game-changing potential on early downs or sub-package snaps.
Official Statements
Coach Brian Daboll said Malik Nabers will have “no limitations” and will be available for the Giants’ opener.
Brian Daboll / Giants
Insider reporting from Jay Glazer noted McCaffrey’s scans were “completely clean” and that the 49ers expect him to be full-go for Week 1.
Jay Glazer / NFL Insider
Unconfirmed
- Exact snap counts and third-down/late-game usage for limited players such as Micah Parsons and Jayden Reed remain unclear until game-day reports.
- Longer-term implications of McCaffrey’s calf issue beyond Week 1 are not publicly confirmed despite clean scans.
- Whether Jayden Reed will be placed on a strict snap count if active is not finalized.
Bottom Line
Week 1 opens with a mix of full recoveries and precautionary limitations. Christian McCaffrey is expected to play, providing a major boost to the 49ers’ offense, while Micah Parsons’ limited status tempers but does not eliminate his disruptive potential for the Packers. Several teams will need depth players to step up immediately given high-profile inactives at cornerback, tackle, and receiver positions.